Sanctity of Life

In a fevered response to Daniel's imminent assault, Jake manipulated his mystical powers, summoning the fallen inhabitants of the hamlet to stand on ghostly guard around him. Their spectral forms stood ready to obstruct the beast creatures Daniel had commanded to charge. Witnessing Jake's strategy, a repulsed grimace creased James' features.

Jake: 0/50 mana

"I exhausted every last bit of my mana for this, James," Jake defended, reacting to his comrade's disapproving expression. "My aim is to buy us time and replenish my mana to conjure more undead allies sporadically..."

James abruptly interrupted Jake, his voice edged with resolve, "Enough. Let the dead rest. Channel your spells directly at Daniel. That is our sole priority."

Empowered by his shimmering electric aura, James became a formidable bulwark against the oncoming tide of beasts. Every brute that dared approach him, Jake, or Sarah met its swift demise - a mere brush against James' electrified form was enough to send them toppling to the ground, reduced to inert husks.

Between James' aggressive defense and the spectral reinforcements conjured by Jake, Daniel's onslaught was efficiently countered. Jake's army of the risen, albeit makeshift, managed to hold their ground against the remaining stragglers.

"Am I misunderstanding something? I have ascended to more than double your level, yet you kill my minions so easily?" Daniel's confusion rang out over the battlefield. Still, his feet remained rooted, even as James began his menacing advance.

Remaining laser-focused on the task at hand, James elected to ignore Daniel's voiced confusion. Instead, he launched himself into a blistering sprint. As he ran, he extended his hand, deftly wielding his elemental magic to magnetically draw in the scattered rocks from the battlefield. With practiced grace, the rubble amalgamated into a formidable makeshift bat within his grasp.

Closing the distance to Daniel, James swung the impromptu weapon with a thunderous force, aiming for Daniel's head. Daniel, however, effortlessly ducked under the blow, barely breaking his smug smile.

"You're dreaming if you believe that will work. Bio-Augmentation is one of my most potent skills," Daniel gloated as he elegantly sidestepped each swing, making a show of his superior agility.

While his mana replenished, Jake watched the unfolding dance of combat intently, stealing a moment to research Daniel's boasted ability.

Bio-Augmentation: The power to enhance physical attributes such as strength, speed, endurance, and agility by manipulating one's biological structure.

Turning to Sarah, Jake asked, "You wouldn't happen to have any additional elixirs on hand, would you?"

Sarah shook her head regretfully, "No, but I did receive this peculiar notification about selecting a class and a new skill after we dispatched some of the beasts..."

"Whatever it is, make your decision quickly. Our survival might depend on you," Jake implored, trying to sound reassuring, but instead painted a worried expression on Sarah's face as she started to sift through the overwhelming information.

As James brandished his earthen bat, slashing viciously at Daniel, the latter nimbly danced around each blow while starting a chilling dialogue. "It's fascinating to think where you'll all end up when guys die again. Should be interesting," Daniel mused, clenching his fist in anticipation of a powerful strike.

The sudden transformation in Daniel's demeanor stunned James. "What in the fuck happened to you, Daniel? Was this monstrous persona hidden within you in our previous existence?" he demanded, confusion clouding his expression.

Choosing to remain silent, Daniel retaliated with a decisive punch. His fist shattered through James's protective electric aura, landing a brutal blow that sent James careening into a nearby structure. The violent impact contorted his body grotesquely against the wall, rendering him unconscious.

"Must admit, your electric shield stung a bit," Daniel confessed, leisurely approaching the fallen James.

Having vanquished the remainder of Daniel's beast horde, Jake commanded his undead minions toward Daniel as a last-ditch effort. His mana reserves now partially replenished, Jake unleashed Cursed Chains, casting eerie shadows that erupted from his hand and ensnared Daniel. The shadows constricted but inflicted no apparent damage.

Daniel grunted, sinking to one knee. He struggled to marshal his strength, caught between the onslaught of the spectral townsfolk and the encircling shadows. His features were a mask of strained concentration as he tried to deflect the relentless attack.

Turning to Sarah, Jake murmured, "Did you choose your class yet?"

In response, Sarah manifested a gleaming bow and arrow, her eyes sparkling with determination. "I believe I've found the class that suits me best," she declared, lofting an arrow in Daniel's direction.

A quick glance at their party status screen revealed Sarah's rapid ascension to level 5 and her still plentiful mana reserves.

Sarah: 24/25 mana

During this, Daniel retaliated, morphing his hands into lethal claws to dispel the remaining phantom townsfolk. He endured significant damage in the process, leaving him battered and bloodied, but to his relief, Jake's shadow curse finally subsided,

An arrow suddenly pierced his shoulder, provoking a howl of pain. "Damn it, that fucking hurt! Was it that stupid bitch you guys added to your ranks? A three-on-one fight isn't exactly fair!" Daniel's complaint echoed across the battlefield, even as he grimaced in agony.

"It's your own undoing, Daniel," Jake retorted staunchly, just as another of Sarah's arrows found its mark, embedding itself in Daniel's abdomen. He crumpled to the ground, writhing in anguish as he struggled to process the intense pain.

Sarah: 23/25 mana

Gritting his teeth against the agony, Daniel hastily yanked the arrows free, his tortured cries echoing across the battlefield. Swiftly, he began to weave a healing spell while still prone, desperately attempting to mend his injuries.

Another arrow, dispatched from Sarah's bow, drilled into Daniel's back, interrupting his healing incantation. He scrambled for cover, attempting to crawl behind a nearby building.

"Let's see how he fares extracting an arrow from his back!" Sarah boasted, pride ringing in her voice.

"What are you doing? We need to finish him off! Otherwise, he'll regroup and annihilate us once he's healed! Aim for his head!" Jake barked, frustration lacing his words.

Sarah returned his anger with a confused frown. "Ending a human life isn't as straightforward as you make it seem, Jake! Even if they've perpetrated such atrocities!"

"Then I'll handle it!" Jake interjected, reaching for Sarah's bow. But as soon as his fingers grazed it, the weapon dematerialized, promptly reappearing in Sarah's grasp.

Undeterred, Sarah took aim again, burying another arrow in Daniel's back just as he vanished around the corner of the building. Suddenly, Daniel re-emerged astride the last of his beast minions, making a hasty escape.

"Shoot down the beast! We have to kill him! Please!" Jake implored, his voice tinged with desperation.

"No! I refuse to be the executioner of another human being!" Sarah retorted defiantly.

Deciding not to press the issue further, Jake watched as Daniel swiftly retreated into the distance. Turning his attention to the immediate concern, he rushed to James's side to assess his condition.